How much Spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) can I bring into China?
Declare
You can bring Spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) into China, but you must declare it.
What you need to know
- 1500 milliliter (50.72 fl oz)
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
On the plane
Airline differences
| Airline | Difference from the baseline |
|---|---|
| Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) | Stricter than the standard rule |
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- 中华人民共和国海关总署公告2024年第176号 General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China
Questions about Spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) in China
- How much spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) can I bring into China?
- China allows spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) to be brought in, but it has to be declared once it reaches 1500 milliliters of spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer). The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
- Do I have to declare spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) at China customs?
- Yes — it has to be declared to China customs on arrival.
- What happens if I do not declare spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) in China?
- Under 《进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法》第十一条（税委会公告2024年第11号公布，自2024年12月1日施行）, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. If the goods are found without being declared, the normal duty becomes payable on the excess; an administrative fine is imposed. Under 《中华人民共和国海关行政处罚实施条例》第十九条第二项、第四项（国务院令第420号）: an administrative fine is imposed.
- Do duty-free purchases count toward the China allowance for spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer)?
- No. China grants an arrival duty-free quota separately from what you carry in, which is why two different numbers circulate for this allowance.
- Can I post or ship spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) to China instead of carrying it?
- Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
- Is there a minimum age for the spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) allowance in China?
- Yes — 18 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) at all, not a smaller one.
- Can I take spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) out of China?
- China publishes no separate rule for taking spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the China limit for spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) apply per person or per family?
- Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
- Where does this rule come from?
- General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) states it in 中华人民共和国海关总署公告2024年第176号. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
- How does China compare with other countries on spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer)?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer), 10 limit it and 9 let it through. China is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 中华人民共和国海关总署公告2024年第176号 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 中华人民共和国海关总署公告2024年第176号 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — china age limits · verified 2026-09-20
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 中华人民共和国海关总署公告2024年第176号 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 中华人民共和国海关总署公告2024年第176号 · verified 2026-09-19